Cricket legend and commentator tells of the doomed love triangle created by his first car.

Star and car: Max Walker

What was your first car?

A really big, heavy, grey Vauxhall Velox, I think about a 1951 model, with the big teardrop mudguards and headlamps. It had very direct driving so it was like driving a billy cart. But the biggest problem was that the gear chocks used to lock every time you'd come to the lights. So you'd get out, finally get the bonnet up and free it up, the lights would change, there'd be horns tooting, but albeit in Hobart where the traffic wasn't that heavy. It probably cost mum and dad around 20 pounds, I reckon. It was a cheapie but a goodie.

What happened to it in the end?

Back in those days there was a young bloke named Robert, who was a motor mechanic in the making and who was keen on my younger sister, Lexie, who's no longer with us now. He was of the opinion he could fix almost all of the problems with it – and there were a few – if I gave him a free reign. So there on the front driveway he dismantled this car, and when he put it back together again I reckon there were a good 15 to 20 pieces still remaining that he couldn't find a place for. So the car came to a brutal death, and the relationship with my sister, while it was probably beginning to blossom, didn't look good any time he even remotely came within a dropkick of the front driveway.

What do you recall about the whole learning to drive experience?

I learned to drive in a Morris 1100, and the beaut thing about that was handbrake starts. There were a lot of hills in Hobart and you could tell when you were on the money because the bonnet almost stood up vertically, and then you could release the handbrake and chug off up the hill.

What are you driving these days?

A BMW 740i from BMW Melbourne. It's an outstanding motorcar that exceeds expectations. From the smell of the leather to the stitching and the state-of-the-art technology, it's a real privilege every time you get in it. And when you're a big bloke, it's really nice to be able to get the knees in. It's like an office on wheels. You can do anything from this car.

What's your pet road peeve?

I reckon guys that charge down the inside, creeping up 40 or 50 places, and then just expect to get back in when there's a bit of a bottleneck or a parked car or two. And you let them in, but you think, "gosh, if everyone had that attitude, there'd be bingles left, right and centre". It's not like the gentlemanly game of cricket, is it? (laughs)

The lowdown: the Aussie cricketing legend, commentator and author has a love for legroom and luxury cruising.

Career highlights: playing 94 games with Melbourne Football Club; playing 38 Tests for Australia (taking 138 wickets); writing 14 books including How to Kiss a Crocodile and How to Puzzle a Python; being named a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011.